By Staff
I have been watching with great interest the Michigan high school wrestling rankings I receive every week from the Michigan Wrestling Association (MWA).
I have noticed two things about those rankings. The first is that teams with good records are not being ranked, while some teams are ranked solely on their reputations.
The Niles wrestling team is having a great year. The Vikings are loaded with experience and talent.
Yet, Niles cannot get ranked by the MWA.
The Vikings had defeated Lakeshore, which was ranked, in a dual meet and had snapped the Lancer's decade-long hold on the Berrien County Meet.
Surely this would get the Vikings rated.
Didn't happen.
Then the Vikings lost to Lakeshore, who moved up a spot after the close victory.
Why did Lakeshore move up after beating an unranked team in a close match?
The answer is a tricky one. Lakeshore's wrestling program is among the best in the state year in and year out. Because of this, the Lancers have a good reputation with the voters, who are wrestling coaches.
Niles has been good for several years now, but since the Vikings end up getting knocked out of the state tournament by Lakeshore, they don't get seen by a lot of coaches farther down the tournament trail.
I have always had issues with state rankings. Most of the people who vote on these things don't get to see the teams they are rating.
Rankings should be based on the current season and the current season only. Reputation should not play a part in the process.
I'm sure if you ask any of the voters, they would deny that reputation plays a part in their decisions.
When I e-mailed MWA Vice President Todd Cheney to inquire as to how the rankings are handled, he said that the coaches vote. He also said that he believes that not many coaches from the southwest lower Michigan area are casting votes.
Come on coaches! Get with the program. This is your chance to highlight our area wrestling teams. Teams like Niles and Decatur should be in those rankings.
Take the time, and I am sure it doesn't take long, to get online on cast your votes.